OK to break Rule Of Thirds?

I'm torn on this one. This was through a window in a closed off building. This huge beam is right in the middle, but makes me look at each side differently, then as a whole... not really a bad thing sometimes? I like it how it is because there's a lot to look at in the pic and cropping (and keeping 4:6 ratio) loses a lot of the image.

But what do you think? Leave it or crop it? If crop, what part would you rather see, left or right side of pic?

I would personally keep it as-is -- a pretty cool shot!

And, consider posting it in this "Abandoned and Dilapidated Buildings" thread:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=442895

It's always okay to break rules if they are limiting your shot. Take what looks good, don't worry about rules.

Rules (laws) are for the guidance of wise men and for the obedience of fools...

it works, it's fine as it is!

Honestly, most times the "rules" are fine and help out a lot, but they're not set in stone and when you get a situation like this then just go with it.

cheers

it happens, go with it

In the future, when you run into such a situation, take one shot in front of the beam, and a shot from each side of the room to take angled shots of what you took. When you see something that may cause you grief in the darkroom (lightroom), take backup shots.

Jon C wrote in post #13222126
In the future, when you run into such a situation, take one shot in front of the beam, and a shot from each side of the room to take angled shots of what you took. When you see something that may cause you grief in the darkroom (lightroom), take backup shots.

Yeah, that would be a good approach. Getting different "framings" could help you to make some creative decisions. But the shot as is would, IMO, be best left to itself!

like they said. BUt the large board cutting the photo in half is very distracting. This is a violation of the rule of 'halves' ...

It happens, something that appeals to my odd sense of humor would be to make two photos, split vertically, framed in some wood with a similar grain and hang them next to each other.

I like the photo as is.

The rule of thirds is as it says a rule not a law, so enjoy your photo!

-John

I see two potential portrait-oriented shots...

1) Beam + Window
2) Beam + Sacks/Stacks

To me, the beam is so dominant, it's hard to appreciate what's beyond it.

To answer your question...in general, yes. But its not working in this case...what you're calling a beam is a visual distraction. The viewer's eyes want to be led into the frame to see what's beyond...the column is overpowering from a visual standpoint and prevents that from happening. If you could do a reshoot, try it with different compositions in mind.